Re: Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors

Ross Clark <benlizro@ihug.co.nz> wrote:

On 27/03/2024 2:19 p.m., HenHanna wrote:

 
Jack London (1876 -- 1916)
 
 
Jack London's popularity in Russia stemmed from a confluence of factors:
 
--  Socialist themes:          London was a vocal advocate for socialism
and workers' rights, which resonated with the communist ideology of the
Soviet Union.      His works like "The Iron Heel" depicting a dystopian
capitalist society fit well with the Soviet narrative.
 
--  Struggle for survival:     Many of London's most famous stories,
like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," depict characters battling
the harsh elements and social Darwinist struggles.     This resonated
with the hardships faced by the Russian people, especially during the
revolutions and early Soviet period.
 
--  Everyman's hero:     London's protagonists often rose from humble
beginnings, overcoming challenges through strength and resilience. This
appealed to the Russian desire for heroes who embodied the spirit of the
common people.
 
-- Accessibility:     Unlike some complex literary works, London's
adventure stories were known for their straightforward prose and
exciting narratives, making them widely accessible to Russian readers.
 
 
It's interesting to note that some of London's views, like his
occasional racial stereotypes, wouldn't be considered acceptable today.
 
However, during his time, his socialist leanings and focus on the
underdog made him a popular figure in Soviet Russia, even for leader
Vladimir Lenin.

 
That makes sense.
 
I had the same impression about London's popularity in the Soviet Union
at that time. I never visited Russia, but I was studying the language,
and my impression may have been based on Russian translations of English
books that were available in the local Communist bookstore.

Years ago there was a lady here (in sci.lang, I think) who mentioned Jack
London's russian translations were better than the originals.

Another writer that apparently was favoured at that time was John
Galsworthy. Not having read him at all, I had the impression he was just
a chronicler of the English bourgeoisie, so he seemed like a strange
choice.

Wasn't it Marx who enjoyed Balzac?